A NORTH-EAST boy is to fly the flag for his country as he represents England in kettlebell lifting – alongside his mother.

Adam Tonkin is travelling to Lithuania to compete against some of the best lifters in the world in the under 16s event of the European Championship of Kettlebell Lifting.

The 13-year-old, who trains three times a week at the Tu Nova gym in Darlington under the guidance of Ste Gordon, only took up lifting around three years ago after being inspired by his mother, who will also be taking part in the competition.

He is now capable of lifting double 16kg bells - around half his bodyweight - and is hoping to show off his talent at the championships, which take place on the weekend of June 30 and July 1.

Kettlebell lifting is a form of endurance weightlifting that originated in Russia, and involves competitors doing dozens of reps and lifts.

Adam said: "I decided that I wanted to join my mother, so I went along one day, and I really enjoyed it, and have been going to the gym ever since.

"I enjoyed doing the fitness side of things as well as the kettlebell work, and I have made a lot of good friends and been able to go on a lot of trips with them."

After training for a few months, he entered his first competition in Leeds and since entered and attended events across the world, including South Korea.

"I really enjoyed it – I got medals, a certificate, and it spurred me on to enter more competitions," he said.

"On the weekends, I like to spend my time with my mum. We will train on a Saturday morning, then go for coffee in the afternoon, but Sundays are a bit more relaxed, and we like to go out for walks, to the seaside, or other places where we can walk around.

"I like to play on my Xbox One, and enjoy playing FIFA with my friends but feel my fitness is more important.

" I enjoy spending time with my friends at school and outside of school. They help me keep going and help me get through school work."

Mrs Tonkin said: "Adam works extremely hard doing this and myself and the rest of the team are very proud of what he has achieved so far - it has really brought us both closer together and it is great to be able to do something with your son.

"He is to compete at his final competition at the gym's own grassroots kettlebell competition on June 23, and then he will fly out to Lithuania."